Videos | Consumer Watchdog

Gas Prices in California Have Risen For 13 Days In A Row

Gas prices have gone up every day for the last 13 days in California. Jamie Court discusses the increasing prices in California and suggests filling up at independent gas stations rather than the big chains, saying they get better deals from refineries. "It's a lot of profit for the oil industries," Court says, "they treat us as a cash machine, they treat us as an ATM."

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City of LA Drops DWP Overbilling Lawsuit, Leaving Ratepayers on the Hook

The City of Los Angeles is dropping its lawsuit against the software company PricewaterhouseCoopers, accused of being responsible for the LADWP overbilling scandal. City Attorneys accused of conflicts of interest are refusing to testify which the city has made it difficult to pursue the case. Jamie Court says this is a cover-up and that the city wants to shut the case down to prevent public awareness of the level of fraud in LADWP and the City Attorney's office.

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Proposed CA Ballot Initiative Would Give Injured Patients More Money Lawsuits

A newly filed proposed CA ballot initiative would give injured patients more money in med-mal lawsuits.

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CA Ballot Initiative Filed To Raise Cap On Medical Malpactice Awards Set In 1975

A statewide ballot initiative was filed by families of injured patients that would raise the compensation cap on medical negligence set by politicians in 1975 and never adjusted.

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Consumer Watchdog Addresses Rising SoCal Gas Prices After Recent Spikes

Gas prices have jumped again in Los Angeles and could go up even more soon. Jamie Court discusses the spike in Southern California and suggests filling up at independent gas stations rather than the big chains, saying they get better deals from refineries.

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CA Dept of Insurance Confirms Ongoing Insurance Discrimination Based on Education and Profession Affinity Groups

"Job and education level are being used as proxies for race and class" says Consumer Watchdog Executive Director Carmen Balber. Drivers working blue-collar jobs, without college degrees or those who live in less affluent neighborhoods are being discriminated against and end up paying more for their car insurance.

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Auto Industry Faces Uphill Battle To Secure Connected Cars

Car suppliers – like Harman International – and major automakers are spending more than they ever have on securing vehicles. But a Consumer Watchdog study says safety concerns related to connected cars are only increasing. Others in the auto industry say those fears may be overblown.

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Consumers Find Nowhere to Redeem After Recycling Centers Shut Down

Jamie Court says a portion of the unclaimed CRV deposits currently held by the state should be allocated to keeping recycling centers open and accessible to consumers. Just 10 to 20 million of the $300 million in unclaimed deposits would help keep centers afloat.

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Jamie Court Questions Whether Changes At LADWP Will Make A Difference For Consumers

Consumer Watchdog President Jamie Court Discusses the recent turmoil at LADWP and questions whether the recent changes and new leadership be enough to truly reform the utility organization.

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Felon on the Run Accused of Posing as a Surgical Assistant, Identity Theft

A man posed as a surgical assistant in the hospital operating room at several hospitals and stole from patients and employees. The police were not able to find any kind of licensing, credentials or qualifications. Consumer Watchdog President Jamie Court says hospitals are responsible for everyone they bring in as a contractor.